Vaccine Law and Policy

Overview

In December 2020, when the Covid-19 vaccine became available to the public after less than one year of development, it had the distinction of being the most rapidly developed vaccine in history. The same month, Merriam-Webster announced that “vaccine” would be the word of the year for 2021. As the world awaited a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, interest in vaccine-related topics, such as funding, development, distribution, and policy surged. In this course, students will learn about the fundamental role of vaccines as a tool intended to improve public health and how this influences policy. Topics covered include vaccine regulation and monitoring; equity and access; individual decision-making; vaccine refusal and hesitation; advocacy and awareness- raising; and various state, federal, and organizational vaccine mandates. These mandates touch every sphere of personal and public life, including work, education, leisure activities, politics, and how healthcare practitioners interact with patients. Understanding vaccine policy will facilitate decision-making in these settings. This course is ideal for laypersons and professionals alike. It can be useful for individuals concerned about their families’ health; school administrators; municipal officials; community health advocates; and others. Lawyers, with other areas of expertise, looking to learn more about vaccine policy, as well as medical students and allied healthcare professionals, will also find value in this course.

Syllabus

Course Overview

Welcome to this course, where we’ll explore the fundamentals of vaccines, vaccine policies, and the legal framework shaping them. It’s designed for a broad audience, including parents, caregivers, health advocates, professionals, and students in law and healthcare.

Vaccine Regulation and Equity

This module covers the regulatory, economic, and public health aspects of vaccine development and distribution, including approval processes, safety monitoring, and intellectual property. It also examines challenges like funding, equity, and injury compensation, with insights from the COVID-19 pandemic and global initiatives like COVAX and WHO.

Individual Decision-Making and Vaccine Mandates

This module explores informed consent for vaccination, including its legal requirements, exemptions, and mandates. It also covers vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 policies, and the legal responsibilities of parents, with insights into global vaccine strategies.

Special Contexts and Vaccine Policy

This module covers military immunization requirements, the PREP Act, and vaccine injury compensation through the CICP. It also examines misinformation management, workplace vaccine accommodations, and the link between cost-sharing and herd immunity.

Course Summary

Congratulations on completing the course! Take a moment to hear from the author summarizing the key concepts from the book. After the video, be sure to review the list of resources provided to help you continue your learning beyond this course.